It's Penn State-Auburn week: What channel is the game on, and when is kickoff? Early storylines and more
Penn State heads to Auburn this Saturday for a non-conference showdown with the Tigers. The matchup completes a home-and-home series the two schools started in State College last fall. What channel is the game on? What time does it start? And how about the early spread and storylines prior to kickoff?
Blue-White Illustrated looks ahead to each Nittany Lions matchup every Monday. Let’s dive into one of the top games on college football’s Week 3 calendar.
Time, TV, and point spread info
Penn State will be on CBS for the first time since 2000 on Saturday when it battles the Tigers. The network’s lead college football crew of Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jenny Dell will call the game.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The summer lookahead line listed Penn State as a one-point favorite. However, as of early Sunday morning, FanDuel installed the Lions as a 4.5-point road favorite.
Game week schedule for Penn State
This will be a normal week for Penn State.
Tuesday will feature player interviews and a lengthy news conference with head coach James Franklin. On Wednesday, there will be more player calls in addition to a chance to watch practice. Franklin and at least one player will speak following it.
Then, Thursday brings the Penn State Coaches Show, which Franklin typically appears on for the last half hour. That will be it for the week until Saturday after the game, when Franklin and select players will speak to reporters.
What’s up with the Tigers?
Auburn looked just OK in beating San Jose State 24-16 on Saturday night. The Spartans actually led 10-7 at halftime. But, the home team outscored the visitors 17-6 after the break to earn a win and move to 2-0.
Penn State fans will remember Tigers running backs Tanks Bigsby and Jaquez Hunter. The offense runs, quite literally through those two. The former had 13 carries for 51 yards and a score and the latter earned eight totes for 41 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s win. All told, though, Auburn had 378 yards of total offense highlighted by 11 chunk plays. Quarterback TJ Finley was just 13 of 20 for 167 yards and an interception. Top defenders Derick Hall, a defensive lineman, and Owen Pappoe, a linebacker, combined for 15 tackles.
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Auburn beat Mercer in its opener.
Weather outlook
According to Weather.com, a high of 84 degrees is expected on a sunny day in Auburn. Wind is not expected to be a factor. And, while it will be humid, it should not be overbearingly so.
Early Penn State-Auburn storylines
–Is the Penn State defense ready for Auburn’s rushing attack? That part of Manny Diaz’s unit has hardly been tested through the first two weeks. But, it will be in a big way on Saturday afternoon. Is the front seven prepared to take on a barrage of blocks and run schemes?
–Conversely, can the Tigers contain the Lions’ passing attack? San Jose State did most of its damage through the air. Penn State could do the same, especially if its run game success from last week doesn’t fully carry over.
–Quarterback talk will be all the rage this week. How, or will, Penn State split reps for Sean Clifford and Drew Allar? And, will Auburn stick with Finley or use Robby Ashford more?
–Last year, the Lions’ tight ends had a big day in the win. Can they do it again? And, will the rotation include Theo Johnson, who missed the first two Penn State games due to injury?
